Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is a sales juggernaut in the U.S. In fact, according to the latest data from NPD, the Xbox 360 led all consoles in sales for 24 months in a row. The console even was able to beat out the Nintendo Wii U in December – a surprising feat considering that console just went on sale in November and the Xbox 360 has been available for seven yeaThe Xbox 360’s staying power in the U.S. is nothing short of astounding. In December, alone, Microsoft sold 1.4 million consoles in the U.S., indicating gamers see no reason to hold off on buying the device until the Xbox 720 launches later this year. Better yet for Microsoft, many of those folks sign up for Xbox Live, providing the software giant with a steady stream of revenue over the course of its lifecycle.

All of that success, however, has to get one thinking: why is the Xbox 360 – a console that, at launch, some thought would be trounced by the PlayStation 3 – so popular in the U.S.?

Perhaps the first reason is its core market. Microsoft isn’t trying to take on Nintendo’s more casual gamers. Instead, Microsoft has found a loyal following in the hardcore segment, where gamers like to play online, pick up shooters, and play for hours. To those gamers, the Xbox 360 is a device worthy of its success.

According to NPD, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 was the most popular game in the industry last year. And for the fourth year in a row, the Xbox 360 version was the most popular option among U.S.-based consumers.

Is it possible that the competing consoles are causing the Xbox 360 to be so popular? Granted, the PlayStation 3 has sold more units worldwide than the Xbox 360, which is mainly due to Sony’s international success. In the U.S., the Xbox 360 is still the dominant force.

The Wii and Wii U might also be pushing gamers to Microsoft. As mentioned, those consoles cater to a casual sector of the market – one that Microsoft doesn’t really care about. At the same time, hardcore gamers who have played the Wii and Wii U and try to stick with it have trouble. Like it or not, the consoles just aren’t capable of keeping their attention as much as the PS3 or the Xbox 360.

There are many other reasons but personally i think the Xbox 360 being the American product that it is has helped it out tremendously, which wouldn't make it the first product to profit from such a thing and is to be expected.

According to a new study; YouTube, Xbox.com, NeoGaf, N4G, VGChartz, IGN, GameSpot, GameStop, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, All of Europe, FAMITSU, Japan, the rest of Asia and The whole of the Middle East among countless others are experiencing a Tsunami of people in love with Sony's gamings offerings.

Currently Playing:

The Wii and Wii U might also be pushing gamers to Microsoft. As mentioned, those consoles cater to a casual sector of the market – one that Microsoft doesn’t really care about. At the same time, hardcore gamers who have played the Wii and Wii U and try to stick with it have trouble. Like it or not, the consoles just aren’t capable of keeping their attention as much as the PS3 or the Xbox 360.

But... but what about this?

OT: I'm sure it being an American Console has something to do with it.

The Wii and Wii U might also be pushing gamers to Microsoft. As mentioned, those consoles cater to a casual sector of the market – one that Microsoft doesn’t really care about. At the same time, hardcore gamers who have played the Wii and Wii U and try to stick with it have trouble. Like it or not, the consoles just aren’t capable of keeping their attention as much as the PS3 or the Xbox 360.

But... but what about this?

That's what the article says, not me lol! You have a point though, still the effort to capture the casual gamer came a little late into the lifecycle of the 360.

According to a new study; YouTube, Xbox.com, NeoGaf, N4G, VGChartz, IGN, GameSpot, GameStop, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, All of Europe, FAMITSU, Japan, the rest of Asia and The whole of the Middle East among countless others are experiencing a Tsunami of people in love with Sony's gamings offerings.

Currently Playing:

First off, MS to date has sold more worldwide than PS3, although eventually that might change.

Secondly, MS since 2010 has very aggressively gone after Wii's casual market with Kinect. Unlike Sony who positioned Move more for the core.

Third: Americans like FPS moreso than Europeans/Asians and Xbox was the console that really brought FPS to consoles in a big way and 360 continued that. I believe CoD sells better on 360 in Europe too. But action games sell better on PS3. This gen it's all about the FPS though so that benefits 360 more, especially in NA.

Forth: Regarding sticking to Wii is only true for core gamers, not the Wii's large casual base - which is why Just Dance 4 is still selling strongest on Wii (and not 360/PS3 despite having superior controls)

Currently Playing:

Halo. Kinect. All the video apps. Industry-standard controller. It's the premier console of the generation, no question.

Personally I prefer PS3, but 360 is undeniably the super-power this time around.

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Currently Playing:

The Wii and Wii U might also be pushing gamers to Microsoft. As mentioned, those consoles cater to a casual sector of the market – one that Microsoft doesn’t really care about. At the same time, hardcore gamers who have played the Wii and Wii U and try to stick with it have trouble. Like it or not, the consoles just aren’t capable of keeping their attention as much as the PS3 or the Xbox 360.

But... but what about this?

That's what the article says, not me lol! You have a point though, still the effort to capture the casual gamer came a little late into the lifecycle of the 360.

It's funny because the xbox really took off when microsoft started catering to the casuals with kinect. Infact that's the reason it will end up ahead of the Wii in the US. It was able to attract the core gamers early on and almost be like a next gen console for the casual audience later on when the kinect came out.

It has been better able to capture both audiences than the ps3 and wii in the US.